Quick closing valve and storage tank containing same



Jan. 23, 1951 T. A. sT. CLAIR 2,538,306

QUICK-CLOSING VALVE AND STORAGE TANK CONTAINING SAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 11, 1945 INVENTOR T.A.s'r CLAIR 'BYlfiv 2 f% I ATTORNEYS Jan. 23, 1951 T. A. ST. CLAIR QUICK-CLOSING VALVE AND STORAGE TANK CONTAINING SAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 11, 1945 F IG. 3

FIG. 4

INVENTOR T-A.$T CLAR ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 23, 1951 QUICK CLOSING VALVE AN D STORAGE TANK CONTAINING SAME Theodore A. St. Clair, Bartlesville, kla., assignor to Phillips Petroleum Company, a. corporation of Delaware Application Junell, 1945, Serial No. 598,812

11 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for handling liquids. In one more specific aspect it relates to a system for handling liquefied gases. In another more specific aspect it relates to a quick closing valve suitable for use in such a system. In another more specific aspect it relates to a system for pumping liquefied gases in and out of a storage tank, and for dispensing said liquid. The specific quick closing valves per se are now claimed in my copending continuation-impart application, SeriaLNo. 185, filed January 2, 1948, for Quick Closing Valve.

From a standpoint of safety it is essential that all connections to liquefied petroleum gas containers be protected as much as possible from the results of mechanical damage. Under a few special circumstances it is entirely possible to assemble the various tank outlets with their valves and fittings into a relatively small area and. protect the assembly with a heavy guard. However on most mobile and on some stationary equipment it is necessary to have pipe lines located in areas which will be vulnerable to breakage through collision. It is standard practice in the industry then (and regulations are set up by various governing bodies) to equip each and every connection to the tank, with the exception of the safety relief valve, with either an excess fiow valve which will automatically close when a certain predetermined fiow is reached or a back flow check valve which is normally closed and which can only be opened when the pressure in the line is substantially greater than the pressure, in the tank. Obviously when back fiow check valves are recessed well within the tank proper so that they will not in themselves be damaged,

" very adequate protection against line breakage is afforded. However excess flow valve are normally open and can only be closed when a certain predetermined fiow is reached. There are a number of practical obstacles which might limit the fiow through an excess flow valve and prevent its proper functioning. These all resolve to terms of pressure drop. For instance a given flow will produce a given pressure drop through the excess flow valve and the tubing. Should the differential pressure between the .tank and atmosphere be less than the pressure drop in the pipe line the excess flow valve will not close but will continue .-to flow whatever amount this differential pressure will permit. Even with a relatively high tank pressure, a small break in a line might not permit an excess flow valve to function since the pressure drop across the point of breakage marks have been written in the conditional" tense, but these failures have been recurring far too frequently. The intent of the present invention is to provide a normally closed valve which is-controlled and which is open only when apumping operation is in progress (when connections are intact and are much less subject to breakage). v

The primary object of this invention is to provide safe equipment for handling liquefied gases,

that will be as safe as can be devised, and that will comply with the Standards 'of the National Board of Fire Underwriters NBFU Pamphlet No. 58 and all similar standards of safety.

Another object is to provide a suitable system for handling liquefied gases.

Another object is to provide a suitable quick closing valve to use'in such a system.

Another object is to provide in combination with a storage tank a safe system for supplying liquid to the tank, and dispensing liquid from the tank.

. Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the accompanying specification, claims and drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic elevational view with parts broken away of a storage tank and liquid handling system embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevational view of 'a first type of quick closing valve embodying my invention,

Figure 3 is a cross sectional elevational view of a modified second form of quick closing valve embodying my invention.

' Figure 4 is an end view of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an elevational sectional view of a third quick closing valve involving my invention. g

In Figure 1 a storage tank 6 is provided for storing liquefied gas I and such vapors 8 as may be present thereover. This tank may or may not,

be provided with the conventional devices mentioned in the next paragraph.

Tank 6 may be provided with a vapor pressure relief valve 9 preferably located so as to draw vapor from the top of'tank -6 through line ll whenever the pressure inside tank 6 exceeds a predetermined safe pressure and venting said vapors through vent line l2 to the atmosphere. A drain valve I3 may be provided to drain liquids from line l2. Vapor may also be withdrawn from, or added to space 8 by line I4 through an excess might too greatly thefiow. The above reflow valve l6 and a shut-off valve I! which may 3 lead to another tank (not shown) which may be connected to coupling 19. Before uncoupling at 16, it is customary to bleed oiI- the gas between valve l1 and the coupling 16 through bleed valve l9. Tank 6 may also be provided with any known type of liquid level gauge 2|, the type shown being a magnetic typ augelin which there is no opening through the tank wall of tank 6 but instead in which there is a brass plate in the tank wall through which float 22 transmits the level of liquid 1 by means of a linkage 23 containing a permanent magnet having a magnetic field which moves the steel indicating needle of gauge 21 right through the brass plate (not shown) When any other type of liquid level gaugeis used, the usual protective devices customarily jaccompa-nying that gauge are preferably also employed. The pressure in tank 6 may be measured by a pressure gauge 24 which may be provided with the usual shut-off valve 25 and the usual excess flow valve 26. Valves 9, I6, 26, and 21 are shown inside of tank 6 and they are actually mounted either in side tank 6 or in the wall of tank 6 so that they cannot be sheared off of tank 6 or otherwise rendered inoperative in case of some accidental force being exerted on the exterior of tank-6. It is also customary to provide a protective housing or guard ring (not shown) for such exterior elements as valves l3, i1, 25, 29 and 29 but this protective housing may be eliminated and has therefore not been shown.

A pressure relief valve such as 9 is one that permits transmission of fluid therethrough when a predetermined differential in pressure exists across said valves An excess flow valve such as 15 may be like Figure 1 of the U. S. patent to Thomas 2,121,936 of June 28,- 1938, or anystandard excess flow valve and remains open until a predetermined rate of flow exists through the valve whereupon the excess flow valve closes and at least substantialy stops said flow. Some excess flow valves shut off the flow completely but many have a bleed passage allowing very minute flow for pressure equalization so the spring may reopen the valve. A check valve such as 21 permits flow in one direction only as indicated 1* the arrow.

Parts 9 to 26, inclusive, do not form any part of my present invention except that they may be advantageously employed in a storage tank also embodying my invention, but are not essential to the operation of my invention.

When the modiflcationof my invention which employs a liquid return line is used, I prefer to have a check valve 21 and a. cut-off valve 28 in said liquid return line 31, but it should be nottd that many embodiments of my invention need not employ any liquid return line 31 and therefore do not employ check valve 21 nor cut-oif valve 26 when line 3| is eliminated.

In order to remove liquid from tank 6 for d spensing or other purposes, a liquid eduction line 32 may be employed to get liquid from as low in the tank as possible. However, eduction line 32 may be omitted.

A quick closing valve 33 is employed in all modifications of my invention and is secured in the wall of the tank 6 or inside said tank by coupling 34. While quick closing valve housing 29 is shown in Figure 1 as the modification of my invention shown in Figure 5, it is believed obvious that in place of housing 29 th other modifled types of valves shown in Figures 2 and 3 could be substituted without any change in the 4 reduce the number of drawings, only one assenrbied system is shown, and that is shown in Figure 1, it being understood that whi e the quick closing valve 29 of Figure 5 is shown therein that the term quick closing valve" and other terms used in describing certain of the systems embodying my invention read also on the valves of Fi ures 2 and 3 as they are employed when used in the system shown in Figure 1, and I contemplate and claim such use.

Between the coupling 34 and housing 29, I may provide a reduced portion 36 which is structurally weaker than housing 29 so that an accidental force may shear of! housing 29 at reduced portion I 36 without injuring or rendering inoperative the quick closing valve 33.

Attached to housing 29 is a continuation of eduction line 32 which is numbered 31. I may insert a cut-oil! valve 36 in line 31, the operation of which is described later.

A strainer 39 may be inserted in lin 31 and may be provided with a drain plug 41. Line 46 will b described when describing line 49.

Line 31 is attached to the intake side of pump 42 which may be any of the usual type of liquid pumps.

A liquid supply line 43 may be provided attached to line 31 and having the usual coupling 44 to provide a means for inserting liquid into tank 6. However, liquid supply line 43 and related parts may be eliminated if some other means is supplied (not shown) for placing liquid 1 in tank 6. When liquid supply line 43 is employed, I may employ a check valve 46, a shutoff valve 41 and a bleed valve 46 for purposes to be described later.

Attached to the discharge side of pump 42 is a dispensing line 49 which of course could be considered as a portion of return line 31. Connecting 49 and quick opening valve housing 29 is a pressure transmitting line 46.

Connected to dispensing line 49, in such n'iodifications where a return line is employed, is return line 31, and a shut-off valve 5| may be employed in return line 3|, in which case a by-pass line 52 may be employed connecting to return line 3| on both sides of valve 5|, in which case I prefer to employ a pressure relief valve 53 in by-pass line 52 as shown.

On the exhaust side ofpump 42, I may connect a surge chamber 54 to dispensing line 49. Chamber 54 may have a valve 56 for the insertion or removal of gases from chamber 54 where they act as a shock absorber to pulsations created by pump 42.

I may connect a pressure relief valve 51 to line 49 which may be provided with a vent pipe 59 to vent liquids or vapors to the atmosphere when a predetermined pressure in line 49 is reached.

I may measure the pressure in line 49 with a pressure gauge 59 and I may add as safety devices shut-off valve 61 and excess flow valve 62 in the line leading to the pressure gauge 59.

Dispensing line 49 is provided with an extension 63, preferably containing a shut-ofl valve 64, and may be provided with a coupling 66 and a flexible portion 61 ending in a dispensing end which may be provided with a coupling 68, a shut off valve 69 and a check valve 11.

In Figure 2 is shown a quick closing valve housing 12 provided with exterior screw threads 13 and a weakened portion 14. Housing 12 contains 'a chamber 16 and housing 12 is made with a cover plate 11, gasket 16 and screws 19 for pursystem of pipes shown in Figure 1. Therefore, to (5 poses of easy assembly and machining. At the with a pressure fluid entrance III.

2,ase,soo

other end of housing 12 is ascrew spider 8| secured thereto by threads 82. Obviously whether parts 11 and 8| are detachable or not does not affect the invention but merely makes it eas.er to construct it. 4

Housing 12 is provided with an inlet 83, a chamber 16 and an outlet 84. The inlet 83 may be provided with a valve seat 86 and plate 11 may be provided with a pressure inlet 81.

When housing 12 is substituted for housing 29 in Figure 1, line 48 of Figure 1 is connected to 81 of Figure 2. Coupling 13 of Figure 2 is obviously inserted in place of coupling 34 of Figure 1; which places spider 8| inside tank 6;

and connection 84 of Figure 2 is connected to line 31 of Figure 1.

Disposed in chamber" is a piston 88 which may have a bleed passage 89 and which may be weakened at 9| for purposes to be set forth later.

A quick closing valve head 92 is provided to cooperate with seat 86 and has a bleed passage 93. Head 92 may have a stem 94 guided in spider 8| and may be spring pressed to seat 86 engaging the head of valve 92 and the other end of piston I83 has an extension I86 which may be engaged by a plunger I81. Plunger I81 is normally held away from extension I86 by spring I88 and is provided with a push button I89 for manual engagement. Chamber IN is provided When housing 91 is substituted for housing 29 of Figure 1, line 48 is connected to III, line '31 to outl t 84 and screw thr ads 13 to replace 34 of Figure 1, placing inlet 83 inside tank 6.

Figure 4 does not show any arrangement not shown in Figure 3 but mere y illustrates t e device a little more fully by showing an end view thereof. I

Figure 5 shows a further modified valve having a housing 29 having a chamber H2 in which is disposed a piston H3 and which chamber has an inlet H4 and an outlet 84. Said chamber also has a pressure inlet II5. A diaphragm of flexible material |I6 forms one end of chambet I I2 and is secured in place by a cap II1 having .a pivot II8 secured thereto. A pin 'II9 is provided to engage piston I I3 through diaphragm H6 and a lever I2I pivoted at |I8 is provided to move pin II9. A stop pin I22 may be provided for lever |2I and a return spring I23 may be provided to urge lever I2I against pin I22.

In the other end of housing 29, a cap I24 may be provided having a chamber I26 and openings I21 and I28. Valve seat I29 is provided at the end of housing 29 on which ,a quick closing valve head I3I may seat to close inlet II4. Valve head I3I may be urgedto its seat by spring I32 andthe valve head may have a facing material I33 of a resilient nature retained in place by plate I34 and screw I36. Valve head I3I may have a valve stem I31 to guide it in its mov ment. When using housing 29 of Figure 5 in Figure 1 the threads 13 are screwed in tank 6 6 at 34 of Figure 1, outlet 84 is connected to line 31, and pressure inlet I I5 is connected to pipe 48.

OPERATION Several operations are possible employing various embodiments of my invention.

Fillingtank 6 with liquid in Figure 1-without pu p Liquid may enter 44, pass through valve 38,

through automatic valve 29 and into the tank (pressure opens the valve at seat). Filling without the pump is the procedure which would normally be used.

Filling tank 6 with liquid in Figure 1-with pump Va.ve 38 is closed. A source of liquid is attached to coupling 44 and valves 28, 41 and 5| are open. Valves 48, 56 and 64, of course, remain closed. Pump 42 is started and liquid passes through coupling 44, valve 41, check valve 46, strainer 39, pump 42, line 49, line 3|, valve 5|, line 3 I, valve 28 and check valve 21 into tank 6.

Dispensing liquid while employing return line 31 in Figure 1 Valves 41, 56 and 64 are closed, while valves 28, 38, and 5| are open.

Pump 42 is started and when employing the valve 29 of Figure 5, as shown, lever I2| is moved to press plunger II9 against piston 3 to move II3 and-connected parts far enough to open valve ISI and allow liquid 1 to be drawn through lines 32 and 31 into pump 42 and into line 49,

where the pressure rises and the liquid flows through line 3| and valve 5| back into tank 6. Upon closing valve 5I,'pressure in line 49 builds up ,until relief valve 53 opens, allowing flow of liquid in 52 back into tank 6 and keeping a predetermined pressure in line 49. The pressure in line 49 is transmitted by line 48 to pressure opening II5 of Figure 5 where it acts on piston H3 to hold valve I3I open. When this has occurred the operator may let go of handle I2I.

The system is now ready for dispensing liquid and coupling 68 may be secured to a tank into which the liquid is to be dispensed. Upon opening valve 69 and then 64, pump 42 will pump the liquid through lines 49, 63 and 61 to coupling 68 thus dispensing the liquid.

By maintaining a gas in the upper portion of surge chamber 54 the pulsations of pum 42 may be absorb-d in the usual manner. Chamber 54 may be dispensed with if desired and if valve 56 is opened to allow the gas in 54 to escane and is then closed chamber 54 will berendered inoperative.

Pre sure relief va ve 51 prevents breaka e of 8 line 49 but may be eliminated as non-essential in some systems.

Pressure gauge 59 and its safety devices 6| and 62 measure the pressure in pipe 49 but are in no Operation without return line 31 in Figure 1 The o eration is the same without return line 3| if valve 28 is kept closed, provided pump 42 is so constructed that a pressure great enough to I open reief valve 51 or to break line 49 cannot be generated, or if dispensing conduit coupling 68 is already in place and valves 64 and 69 are open before starting the pump.

Operation of Figure 2 The valve of Figure 2 operates in the same manner as valve 29 of Figure 1 except that-bleed passages 93 and 89 allow the flow of enough liquid so that no manual opening device such as handle I II is necessary.

Inoperation, the valve assembly is assembled into a liquefied petroleum gas tank and sealed at threads I3. The discharge of the valve, 84, leads to the suction of pump 42. A small pipe connection 40 and 81 is teed into the discharge of the pump. When the-pump is not in operation, no differential pressure-exists across the piston and by virtue of the spring loading the valve remains in a closed position so regardless of possible points of pipe line breakage no flow other than that which passes through the small orifice 93 can ensue. Orifice 93, however. will permit the pump suction to be pressured and thereby primed. When the pump is in operation the discharge will create an increased pressureat inlet 81, establishing a differential pressure across the piston and thereby will open valve seat disc 92. This opening should occur with a difierential pressure of approximately p. s. i. It

is also to be understood that a certain degree of protection (comparable to that of an excess flow valve) is had while the pump is in operation since a breakage on the suction side of the pump would cause a pressure failure at the pump discharge and the pressures would equalize and permit the valve to close. A line breakage on the pump discharge could reduce the outlet pressure of the pump to a point where the valve would close.

Hole 93 is very small so that if 12 breaks away at 14 and breaks at 9| that valve 92 will substantially close tank 6, but enough liquid can pass 93 to prime pump 42 enough to pressure 40 and 88 and open valve 92.

The operation of the valve of Figure 2 is the same as described in Figure 1 except that no manual operation is necessary.

Operation of Figure 3 The operation of Figure 3 is exactly the same as the operation of Figure 1 as push button I09 is equivalent to handle l2l of Figure 1, inlet III is connected to pipe 40, outlet 84 is connected to pipe 31 and screw threads 13 replace 34 of Figure l, placing inlet 83 inside tank 6.

Operation of Figure 5 The operation of the valve shown in Figure 5.

has already been described in the operation of Figure 1 above, as the valve of Figure 5 is shown in use in Figure 1. Obviously screw threads 13 of Figure 5 are engaged at 34 of Figure l.

Inlet I I5 is connected to pipe 40 and outlet 84 is connected to pipe 31 of Figure 1.

Operation of all figures preventing egress of liquid. Valve l3l completely closes the opening, as shown in Figure 5, and valve 82 of Figures 2 and 3 substantially close the opening as very little liquid will bleed out opening 93.

It is believed obvious, therefore, that I have devised a system and a valve for use in said system capable of carrying out the objects of the invention and that various modifications and changes may be made in this system and valve without departing from the scope of my invention which is defined only in the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination with a storage tank for a liquefied gas, a liquid gas handling system comprising a pump, a liquid eduction conduit connecting said storage tank to the intake side of said pump, a liquid return conduit connecting the exhaust side of said pump and said storage tank, a quick closing valve in said eduction conduit at a point inside said storage tank, a second valve in said return conduit, a pressure relief valve connecting said return conduit between said pump and said second valve to the atmosphere, a surge tank connected to said return conduit between said pump and said second valve, a pressure gauge, a pressure gauge line connecting said pressure gauge and said return conduit at a point between said pump and said second valve, a dispensing conduit connected to said return conduit between said pump and said second valve and leading to a dispensing end, a liquid feed line connected to said eduction conduit between said Pu p and said quick closing valve, means bias ng said quick-closing valve to closed position, and means for opening said quick closing valve comprising a housing in said eduction line and adjacent said quick closing valve, a piston in said housing disposed to move to open said quick closing valve, and means for so moving said piston comprising a pressure conduit connecting said return line between said pump and said second valve with said housing.

2. In combination with a storage tank for a liquefied gas, a liquid gas handling system comprising a pump, a liquid eduction conduit connecting said storage tank to the intake side of said pump, a liquid return conduit connecting the exhaust side of said pump and said storage tank, a quick closing valve in said eductionconduit at a point inside said storage tank, a second valve in said return conduit, a pressure relief valve connecting said return conduit between said pump and said second valve to the atmosphere, a dispensing conduit connected to said return conduit between said pump and said second'valve and leading to a dispensing end, means biasing said quick closing valve to closed position and means for opening said quick closing valve comprising a housing in said eduction conduit and adjacent said quick closing valve, a piston in said housing disposed to move to open said quick closing valve, and means for so moving said piston comprising a pressure conduit connecting said return conduit between said pump and said second valve with said housing.

3. In combination wlth-astorage tank for a liquefied gas, a liquid gas handling system comprising a pump, a liquid eduction conduit connecting said storage tank to the intake side of said pump, a liquid return conduit connecting the exhaust side of said pump and said storage tank, a quick closing valve in said eduction conduit at a point inside said storage tank, a second valve in said return conduit, a dispensing conduit connected to said return conduit between said pump and said second valve and leading to a dispensing end, means biasing said quick-closing valve to closed position, and'means for opening said quick closing valve.

4. In combination with a storage tank for a awasoo said pump, a dispensing conduit connected at one end to the exhaust side of said pump, the other end of said dispensing conduit being adapted to dispense said liquid, a quick-closing valve in said eduction conduit at a point in said storage tank, a surge tank connected to said dispensing, conduit, a pressure relief valve connecting said dispensing conduit to the atmosphere upon predetermined pressure therein, a pressure gauge connected to said dispensing conduit, means biasing said quick-closing valve to closed position, and means for opening said quick closing valve comprising a housing in said eduction conduit adjacent said quick closing valve, a piston in said housing disposed to move to open said quick closin valve, and means for so moving said piston comprising a pressure con duit connecting said dispensing conduit and said housing.

5. In combination with a storage tank for a liquefied gas, a liquid gas handlin system comprising a pump, a liquid eduction conduit connecting said storage tank to the intake side of said pump, a dispensing conduit connected at one end to the exhaust side of said; pump, the other end of said dispensing conduit being adapted to dispense said liquid, a quick-closing valve in said eduction conduit at a point in said storage tank, a pressure relief valve connecting said dispensing conduit to the atmosphere upon predetermined pressure therein, means biasing said quick-closing valve to closed position, and means for opening said quick closing valve comprising a housing in said eduction conduit adjacent said quick closing valve, a piston in said housing disposed to move,to open said quick closing valve, and means for so moving said piston comprising a pressure conduit connecting said dispensing conduit and said housing.

6. In combination with a storage tank for a liquefied gas, a liquid gas handling system comprising a pump, a liquid eduction line connecting said storage tank to the intake side of said pump, a dispensing conduit connected at one end to the exhaust side of said pump, the other end of said dispensing conduit being adapted to dispense said liquid, a quick-closing valve in said eduction conduit at a point in said storage tank, means biasing said quick-closing valve to closed position, and means for opening said quick-closing valve comprising a housing in said eduction line adjacent said quick-closing valve, a piston in said housing disposed to move to open said quick-closing valve, and means for so moving said piston.

7. In combination with a storage tank for liquefied gas, a liquid gas handling system com- .prising a pump, a liquid eduction conduit connecting said storage tank to the intake side of said pump, a dispensing conduit connected to the exhaust side of said pump and having a dispensing end, a shut. ofi valve controlling flow through said eduction conduit to'substantially cut oir flow in a closed position, means biasing said shut 03 valve to closed position, a motor connected to open said shut oil valve, a pressure relief valve connected to said dispensing conduit,- a fluid return conduit connecting said relief valve and said storage tank, and a pressure fluid supply conduit connecting said dispensing conduit and said motor to supply pressure fluid from said pump to open said shut off valve, said pressure relief valve being set to prevent flow from said dispensing conduit into said fluid return conduit until the pressure necessary to actuate said motor to open said shut off valve is generated by said pump in said dispensing conduit.

I 8. In combination with a storage tank for liquefied gas, a liquid gas handling system comprising a pump, a liquid eduction conduit connecting said storage tank to the intake side of said pump, a dispensing conduit connected to the exhaust side of said pump and having a dispensing end, a shut off valve controlling flow through said eduction conduit to substantially cut oil flow in a closed position, means biasing said shut off valve to closed position, a motor connected to open said shut ofi valve, and a pressure fluid supply conduit connecting said dispensing conduit and said motor to supply pressure fluid from said pump to open said shut off valve.

9. The combination set forth in claim 7 in which auxiliary means is provided to open said shut off valve manually until said pump provides sufiicient pressure to open said shut off valve.

10. The combination set forth in claim 8 in which auxiliary means is provided to open said shut off valve manually until said pump provides suilicient pressure to open said shut off valve.

11. In combination with a tank for liquefied gas, a gas handling system comprising an outlet conduit connected to the interior of the tank and extending into the tank, a motor valve comprising a shut off valve in said conduit for controlling flow of fluid therethrough, said shut off valve being positioned inside said tank and connected to said conduit, means inside said tank connected with and biasing said shut off valve to closed position, and a motor mounted outside and connected to said tank by frangible means, said motor being operatively connected to said shut off valve by removable valve operating means, whereby said motor can be broken off and said biasing means inside said tank can immediately bias said shut oif valve to closed position automatically, and power supply means connected to said motor for actuating said motor to overpower said biasing means and open said ,shut oil? valve.

THEODORE A. ST. CLAIR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

